Speaking to the British paper The Evening Standard recently, the Bon Jovi frontman said of Sambora’s absence, “It’s getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something… Because all I can say is this — it’s for personal reasons. He’s been through it before. Fortunately for us the same guy who filled in last time was available this time.”

Guitarist Richie Sambora has hit back at comments made by his ex-bandmate Jon Bon Jovi, that suggest Richie's shock departure from the band was down to his history with substance abuse.